Information recording/reproducing device

ABSTRACT

An information recording and reproducing apparatus is capable of dubbing a video and audio signal onto a digital recording medium in a short time, using a control signal recorded on an analog recording medium together with the video and audio signal. The information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a control signal detecting part for detecting a control signal recorded on the analog recording medium, a control part, and the like. When a dubbing instruction is input, the control part instructs a recording part to start a dubbing operation of recording the video and audio signal reproduced by a reproducing part onto the digital recording medium, and during the dubbing operation, when a non-recorded region where the control signal is not recorded on the analog recording medium is detected, the control part instructs the recording part to temporarily stop recording onto the digital recording medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information recording andreproducing apparatus having an analog reproducing function ofreproducing analog video and audio information recorded on an analogrecording medium such as a magnetic tape medium and a function ofrecording digital video and audio information onto a digital recordingmedium such as a digital versatile disk (DVD). In particular, thepresent invention relates to an information recording and reproducingapparatus configured so as to record reproduced information onto adigital recording medium (perform so-called dubbing processing), whilereproducing video and audio information from an analog recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in order to record video and audio information such as amovie, magnetic tapes (video tapes) for recording video and audioinformation in an analog fashion, DVDs for recording video and audioinformation in a digital fashion, and the like are used. Digitalrecording media such as a DVD are spreading widely along with the recentdevelopment of a compression encoding technique. Examples of anapparatus for recording and reproducing information by driving amagnetic tape include a video cassette player (VCP), and the like.Examples of an apparatus for recording and reproducing information bydriving an optical disk include a DVD recorder, and the like.

Recently, a composite apparatus in which the above-mentioned VCP and DVDrecorder are integrated has been proposed. Such a composite apparatus iscapable of dubbing information recorded on a magnetic tape onto a DVD.Furthermore, market needs for transferring video recording informationrecorded on a video tape to a DVD so as to utilize a storage spaceeffectively also have increased.

As the above-mentioned type of a conventional composite apparatus, forexample, a video and audio recording and reproducing apparatus is known,which is described in, for example, JP3092141U (Patent Document 1),JP2000-76736A (Patent Document 2), JP61(1986)-230693A (Patent Document3), and JP61(1986)-230694A (Patent Document 4).

In the conventional video and audio recording and reproducing apparatusdisclosed in Patent Document 1, whether or not a free space is availablein a DVD is confirmed before the contents of a magnetic tape are dubbedonto the DVD. In the case where no free space is available, a warning isgiven to output a message saying that a free space should be obtained.After a free space is obtained, the magnetic tape is rewound andinformation is reproduced from the magnetic tape at a high speed,whereby tape information including information on the position where arecording mode is switched, a non-signal region, the kind of themagnetic tape, and the presence/absence of a copy guard mark is detectedand stored in a memory. Thereafter, the magnetic tape is rewound again,and the bit rate during dubbing is adjusted in accordance with the tapeinformation stored in the memory so that the video and audio informationrecorded on the magnetic tape is accommodated in one DVD as much aspossible, whereby the video and audio information in a region excludingthe non-recorded region of the magnetic tape is dubbed onto the DVD.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional video and audio recordingand reproducing apparatus, for example, when all the informationrecorded on one video tape is desired to be dubbed onto the DVD, thevideo tape is rewound to the leading edge, information is reproducedfrom the video tape at a high speed to the trailing edge, and after thevideo tape is rewound to the leading edge again, a dubbing operation isstarted. Thus, a period from a time when an operator provides a dubbinginstruction to a time when dubbing actually is started is long, which isinconvenient for use.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned conventional video and audiorecording and reproducing apparatus, tape information is not obtaineduntil after the free space of the DVD is obtained, and it is not checkedwhether or not the video and audio information, which is desired to bedubbed in the free space of the DVD, is accommodated in the free spaceof the DVD. Therefore, for example, when the contents of one video tapeare dubbed onto one DVD, the free space of the DVD may be used up beforedubbing is completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, with the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an information recording and reproducing apparatuscapable of dubbing analog video and audio information onto a digitalrecording medium such as a DVD in a shortest possible time, by using acontrol signal recorded on an analog recording medium such as a videotape together with the analog video and audio information.

According to the present invention, the term “dubbing” refers to theprocessing of variously editing a reproduced signal from a firstrecording medium and recording the signal onto a second recordingmedium, as well as the processing of reproducing video and audioinformation from a first recording medium storing it and copying thereproduced signal to a second recording medium as it is. Theabove-mentioned editing includes variously processing the reproducedsignal from the first recording medium, adding other information,cutting an unnecessary portion from the reproduced signal of the firstrecording medium, and the like.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information recordingand reproducing apparatus of the present invention having a reproducingpart for reproducing a video and audio signal from an analog recordingmedium, and a recording part for recording the video and audio signalonto a digital recording medium, includes: a control signal detectingpart for detecting a control signal recorded on the analog recordingmedium together with the video and audio signal; and a control part forcontrolling operations of the reproducing part, the recording part, andthe control signal detecting part. When a dubbing instruction is input,the control part instructs the recording part to start a dubbingoperation of recording the video and audio signal reproduced by thereproducing part onto the digital recording medium, and during thedubbing operation, when the control signal detecting part detects anon-recorded region where the control signal is not recorded on theanalog recording medium, the control part instructs the recording partto temporarily stop recording onto the digital recording medium.

The control signal refers to a signal recorded on an analog recordingmedium together with a video and audio signal. More specifically, at aportion where the video and audio signal is not recorded on the analogrecording medium, a control signal is not recorded, either. For example,in the case of a magnetic tape medium, the control signal can bedetected by a control head during reproduction, or fast-forwarding orrewinding.

In the above-mentioned configuration, after commencement of a dubbingoperation, in the case where the control signal detecting part detects anon-recorded region where a control signal is not recorded on the analogrecording medium, the control part instructs the recording part totemporarily stop recording onto the digital recording medium. Because ofthis, only a video and audio signal recorded on the analog recordingmedium can be recorded onto the digital recording medium. Furthermore,unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to performhigh-speed reproduction from the leading edge to the trailing edge ofthe analog recording medium before commencement of dubbing processing,in order to obtain tape information containing information on anon-signal region. Therefore, dubbing from the analog recording mediumto the digital recording medium can be completed in a shorter period oftime.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the followingdetailed description with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dubbing apparatusin an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the state of data dubbed from a videotape onto a DVD in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are flow charts each showing a dubbing operation from avideo tape to a DVD in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of determination processingof a bit rate in the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An information recording and reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention having a reproducing part for reproducing a video and audiosignal from an analog recording medium, and a recording part forrecording the video and audio signal onto a digital recording medium,includes: a control signal detecting part for detecting a control signalrecorded on the analog recording medium together with the video andaudio signal; and a control part for controlling operations of thereproducing part, the recording part, and the control signal detectingpart. When a dubbing instruction is input, the control part instructsthe recording part to start a dubbing operation of recording the videoand audio signal reproduced by the reproducing part onto the digitalrecording medium, and during the dubbing operation, when the controlsignal detecting part detects a non-recorded region where the controlsignal is not recorded on the analog recording medium, the control partinstructs the recording part to temporarily stop recording onto thedigital recording medium.

In the information recording and reproducing apparatus according to theabove-mentioned configuration, it is preferable that, during the dubbingoperation, when the control signal detecting part detects the controlsignal again on the analog recording medium after the recording parttemporarily stops recording onto the digital recording medium, thecontrol part instructs the recording part to resume recording onto thedigital recording medium.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the non-recorded regionon the analog recording medium can be deleted, and only the video andaudio signal can be recorded onto the digital recording medium.

It is preferable that the information recording and reproducingapparatus according to the above-mentioned configuration furtherincludes a free space obtaining part for obtaining a free space of thedigital recording medium, wherein, when a dubbing instruction is input,the control part calculates a recording time of a video and audio signalof the analog recording medium, based on a control signal detected bythe control signal detecting part from the analog recording medium,determines a bit rate during recording of the video and audio signal bythe recording part so that all the video and audio signal correspondingto the calculated time is recorded in the free space of the digitalrecording medium obtained by the free space obtaining part, and startsthe dubbing operation in accordance with the bit rate.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, all the video and audiosignal recorded on the analog recording medium can be recorded in thefree space of the digital recording medium.

It is preferable that the information recording and reproducingapparatus according to the above-mentioned configuration, using atape-shaped medium as the analog recording medium, includes a controlhead for reading a control signal from the tape-shaped medium, wherein,when a dubbing instruction is input, the control part first-forwards thetape-shaped medium to a trailing edge, and thereafter, while thetape-shaped medium is rewound to a leading edge, the control headobtains a control signal recorded on the tape-shaped medium.

Conventionally, it takes time to determine a bit rate during dubbing,since it is necessary to perform high-speed reproduction beforecommencement of dubbing. However, according to the above-mentionedconfiguration, a control signal can be obtained by the control headwhile the tape-shaped medium is rewound from the trailing edge to theleading edge. This makes it unnecessary to perform high-speedreproduction before commencement of dubbing as in the conventionalexample, so that the dubbing processing from the analog recording mediumto the digital recording medium can be completed in a short period oftime.

It is preferable that the information recording and reproducingapparatus according to the above-mentioned configuration furtherincludes a storage part for storing a recording time of a video andaudio signal recorded on the analog recording medium, calculated basedon the control signal, wherein the control part instructs thereproducing part and the recording part to complete the dubbingoperation, when the trailing edge of the analog recording medium isdetected during the dubbing operation, and after completion of thedubbing operation, when a dubbing instruction is input again withouttaking the analog recording medium out of the information recording andreproducing apparatus, the control part rewinds the tape-shaped mediumto the leading edge, determines a bit rate during recording of the videoand audio signal by the recording part, using the recording time storedin the storage part, and starts the dubbing operation in accordance withthe bit rate.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, in the case wheredubbing processing is performed continuously from one analog recordingmedium to a plurality of digital recording media, a bit rate isdetermined using a recording time stored in the storage part during thesecond and subsequent dubbing processings. This makes it unnecessary toperform fast-forwarding and rewinding for obtaining a control signal,and the second and subsequent dubbing processings can be completed in ashorter period of time.

It is preferable that the information recording and reproducingapparatus according to the above-mentioned configuration furtherincludes a user interface, wherein, in a case where a recordable timewhen information is recorded at a lowest bit rate in the free space ofthe digital recording medium is shorter than a recording time of thevideo and audio signal recorded on the analog recording medium, thecontrol part performs at least one of a warning display to the userinterface and a suspension of the dubbing operation.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the recordable timewhen information is recorded at a lowest bit rate in the free space ofthe digital recording medium is shorter than the recording time of thevideo and audio signal recorded on the analog recording medium, dubbingcan be prevented from being performed erroneously, whereby thereliability of dubbing can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically by wayof illustrative embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dubbing apparatus(video and audio recording and reproducing apparatus) according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a magnetic tape medium that is afirst recording medium with respect to which analog video and audioinformation can be recorded and reproduced. This magnetic tape mediumcorresponds to a so-called video tape.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a magnetic tape medium driving andreproducing part for reproducing analog video and audio informationrecorded on the magnetic tape medium 1, and fast-forwarding andrewinding the magnetic tape medium 1. The magnetic tape medium drivingand reproducing part 3 includes a capstan and a roller for controllingthe travel of the magnetic tape medium 1, a rotation drum provided witha head for recording and reproducing a video and audio signal, a controlhead for recording a control signal onto the magnetic tape medium 1 andreproducing the recorded control signal, a signal processing circuit forperforming various signal processings of a reproduced video and audiosignal (none of these elements are shown).

Reference numeral 2 denotes a digital recording medium that is a secondrecording medium with respect to which digital video and audioinformation can be recorded and reproduced. The present embodiment willbe described with the second recording medium being a disk-shapedrecording medium, which is detachably provided on an apparatus and onwhich a signal is recorded digitally, such as a DVD. However, the secondrecording medium may be a recording medium that is fixed to anapparatus, such as a hard disk.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a digital recording medium access part forrecording and reading a signal with respect to the digital recordingmedium 2. The digital recording medium access part 5 includes a spindlemotor for rotating the digital recording medium 2, a laser diode and anoptical pick-up for recording and reproducing a signal, and the like(none of these elements are shown).

Reference 4 denotes an analog-digital converter for converting analogvideo and audio information reproduced by the magnetic tape mediumdriving and reproducing part 3 into digital video and audio information,and outputting the converted information to the digital recording mediumaccess part 5.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a user interface. The user interface 14includes an input/output device such as a remote controller, a body key,a display, and the like, and a user input/output interface implementedby a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display. The input interfaceincludes any means through which a user can perform inputs oroperations, in addition to the above-mentioned emote controller, bodykey, and GUI screen. Furthermore, the output interface also includes anymeans through which notification or display to a user is performed, inaddition to the above-mentioned display and GUI screen.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a storage part for storing information.

Reference 11 denotes a reproduction control signal detecting part fordetecting reproduction control signals recorded on the magnetic tapemedium 1 from a signal reproduced by the magnetic tape medium drivingand reproducing part 3.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a magnetic tape medium driving part forinstructing the magnetic tape medium driving and reproducing part 3 tofast-forward and rewind the magnetic tape medium 1. More specifically,in the case where the magnetic tape medium driving and reproducing part3 is a VTR, the magnetic tape medium driving part 10 drives a capstanand a reel.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a leading/trailing edge detecting part fordetecting the positions of a leading edge and a trailing edge of themagnetic tape medium 1 from the signal reproduced by the magnetic tapemedium driving and reproducing part 3.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a magnetic tape medium reproducing part forinstructing the magnetic tape medium driving and reproducing part 3 toreproduce information from the magnetic tape medium 1.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a digital recording part for controlling theanalog-digital converter 4 and the digital recording medium access part5 to record the video and audio information converted to the digitalinformation by the analog-digital converter 4 onto the digital recordingmedium 2. The digital recording part 7 adjusts the bit rate at which theanalog-digital converter 4 converts the analog video and audioinformation from the magnetic tape medium driving and reproducing part 3into digital video and audio information, in accordance with theinstruction from the control part 15.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a digital recording medium free spaceobtaining part for instructing the digital recording medium access part5 to read a free space of the digital recording medium 2.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a warning generating part for allowing theuser interface 14 to give a warning in the case where a recordable timewhen information is recorded in a free space of the digital recordingmedium 2 at a lowest bit rate is shorter than a recording time of themagnetic tape medium 1. The warning generating part 13, for example,allows the user interface 14 to display a warning to a user saying thatdubbing should be stopped in the above-mentioned case.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a control part for controlling theoperation of the entire dubbing apparatus of the present embodiment. Forexample, upon receiving an instruction for performing dubbing throughthe user interface 14, the control part 15 controls the magnetic tapemedium driving part 10, the leading/trailing edge detecting part 9, areproduction control signal detecting part 11, the storage part 12, thedigital recording medium free space obtaining part 6, the digitalrecording part 7, the magnetic tape medium reproducing part 8, and thewarning generating part 13, thereby performing a dubbing operation.

The dubbing apparatus of the present embodiment configured as describedabove can dub, for example, all the recorded parts of analog video andaudio information recorded on one magnetic tape medium such as a videotape onto one digital recording medium such as a DVD in a shorter periodof time with a user's simple operation.

Furthermore, the dubbing apparatus of the present embodiment isconfigured so as not to perform dubbing erroneously, in the case wherethe recordable time when information is recorded in a free space of adigital recording medium such as a DVD at a lowest bit rate is shorterthan a time of video and audio information recorded on a magnetic tapemedium such as a VHS.

Furthermore, the dubbing apparatus of the present embodiment cancomplete dubbing in a shorter period of time, when analog video andaudio recording information recorded on a magnetic tape medium such as avideo tape is dubbed continuously onto a plurality of digital recordingmedia such as DVDs.

Hereinafter, the dubbing operation from a video tape to a DVD in thedubbing apparatus according to the present embodiment configured asdescribed above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 2, M1 is a video tape medium to be a dubbing origin. T1 denotesa tape total reproducing time, which is a time required for reproducinginformation from the video tape medium M1 from the leading edge to thetrailing edge. PG1 denotes the first program recorded on the video tapemedium M1. PG2 denotes the second program recorded on the video tapemedium M1. PG3 denotes the third program recorded on the video tapemedium M1. B1 denotes a non-recorded portion between the program PG1 andthe program PG2. B2 denotes a non-recorded portion between the programPG2 and the program PG3. More specifically, the video tape medium M1includes portions where the programs PG1, PG2, and PG3 are recorded, andthe non-recorded portions B1 and B2. T2 shown in FIG. 2 denotes a time(total recording time) required for continuously reproducing theprograms TG1, TG2, and TG3. M2 shows a state before dubbing of a DVDmedium. RA denotes an entire storage region (DVD entire region) of theDVD medium M2. R1 denotes an already recorded region where video andaudio information has already been recorded in the DVD medium beforedubbing M2. R2 denotes a free space where information is not recorded inthe DVD medium before dubbing M2. M3 denotes a DVD medium after dubbingwith the bit rate adjusted so that the programs PG1, PG2, and PG3 areaccommodated in the free space R2.

When an instruction for performing dubbing is input from a user throughthe user interface 14, the control part 15 fast-forwards the magnetictape medium 1 to the trailing edge by using the magnetic tape mediumdriving part 10 and the leading/trailing edge detecting part 9, andthereafter, obtains the number of reproduction control signals recordedon the magnetic tape medium 1 by using the reproduction control signaldetecting part 11 while rewinding the magnetic tape medium 1 to theleading edge. The control part 15 calculates the total recording time T2based on the number of the obtained reproduction control signals, andrecords the calculation results in the storage part 12.

The reproduction control signal refers to a signal to be recorded ontothe magnetic tape medium 1 simultaneously when analog video and audioinformation is recorded thereon. In the portions where the analog videoand audio information is not recorded (e.g., the non-recorded portionsB1 and B2 shown in FIG. 2), no reproduction control signals are present.For example, in the case where analog video and audio information ofNTSC is recorded onto a magnetic tape medium of VHS, rectangular signalsof 30 pulses per second are recorded as reproduction control signals,together with the analog video and audio information. The reproductioncontrol signals can be read by the control head when the magnetic tapemedium 1 is being played back, or fast-forwarded or rewound. Asdescribed above, the reproduction control signals are recorded at anequal interval in portions where analog video and audio information isrecorded. Therefore, assuming that the interval of the reproductioncontrol signals is t, and the number of the reproduction control signalsread while the magnetic tape medium 1 is rewound from the trailing edgeto the leading edge is n, the total recording time T2 of analog videoand audio information recorded on the magnetic tape medium 1 is obtainedapproximately by t×(n−1).

The control part 15 uses the digital recording medium free spaceobtaining part 6 to obtain the free space R2 of the digital recordingmedium 2, and determines the bit rate during recording with respect tothe digital recording medium 2 so that the video and audio informationcorresponding to the total recording time T2 stored in the storage part12 is accommodated in the free space R2. The control part 15 instructsthe digital recording part 7 and the magnetic tape medium reproducingpart 8 to perform recording with respect to the digital recording medium2 and reproduction with respect to the magnetic tape medium 1simultaneously at the determined bit rate, whereby dubbing is started.More specifically, while the analog video and audio information isreproduced from the magnetic tape medium 1 by the magnetic tape mediumreproducing part 8, the reproduced analog video and audio information isconverted to digital video and audio information at the bit ratedetermined as described above, using the analog-digital converter 4, inaccordance with the instruction of the digital recording part 7, andrecorded onto the digital recording medium 2 using the digital recordingmedium access part 5.

During dubbing, when the reproduction control signal detecting part 11detects that there is no reproduction control signal in the informationthat is being reproduced from the magnetic tape medium 1, the controlpart 15 instructs the digital recording part 7 to temporarily stoprecording with respect to the digital recording medium 2. Thereafter,when the reproduction control signal is detected again, the control part15 instructs the digital recording part 7 to resume recording withrespect to the digital recording medium 2. Because of this, for example,after the program PG1 is recorded onto the digital recording medium 2,the recording with respect to the digital recording medium 2 istemporarily stopped during reproduction of information from thenon-recorded portion B1, and when the reproduction of the program PG2 isstarted, the recording with respect to the digital recording medium 2 isresumed.

According to the above-mentioned processing, in the DVD medium afterdubbing M3, dubbing is performed with the bit rate adjusted so that theprograms PG1, PG2, and PG3 are accommodated in the free space R2, andthe non-recorded portions B1 and B2 between the programs are cut.

Furthermore, the control part 15 is capable of allowing the userinterface 14 to give a warning so as to stop dubbing, in the case wherethe recordable time when information is recorded in the free space R2 ofthe digital recording medium 2 at a lowest bit rate is shorter than thetotal recording time T2 of the magnetic tape medium 1. This function canprevent dubbing from being performed erroneously, in the case where thedigital recording medium 2 does not have a free space sufficient forrecording all the video and audio information of the magnetic tapemedium 1 even if information is recorded at a lowest bit rate.

Furthermore, the control part 15 instructs the magnetic tape mediumreproducing part 8 and the digital recording part 7 to complete dubbing,when the leading/trailing edge detecting part 11 detects a trailing edgeduring dubbing.

The user sometimes may desire to dub the analog video and audioinformation recorded on one magnetic tape medium 1 onto a plurality ofdigital recording media 2. In such a case, when one dubbing iscompleted, the user generally replaces only the digital recording medium2 with a new medium without taking out the magnetic tape medium 1, andinputs an instruction for performing dubbing through the user interface14. In this case, the control part 15 uses the magnetic tape mediumdriving part 10 and the leading/trailing edge detecting part 9 to rewindthe magnetic tape medium 1 to the leading edge. When the rewinding iscompleted, the control part 15 uses the digital recording medium freespace obtaining part 6 to obtain the free space R2 of the newly mounteddigital recording medium 2. Then, the control part 15 uses the freespace R2 thus obtained and the total recording time T2 stored in therecording part 12 during the first dubbing to determine the bit rateduring recording with respect to the digital recording medium 2, andstarts dubbing in accordance with the determined bit rate. Morespecifically, in the case where dubbing is performed from the identicalmagnetic tape medium 1 to a plurality of digital recording media 2, thefast-forwarding and rewinding for obtaining the total recording time T2of the magnetic tape medium 1 are omitted during the second andsubsequent dubbing, and the value stored in the recording part 12 duringthe first dubbing is used as the total recording time T2. Thus, in thecase where dubbing is performed from the identical magnetic tape medium1 to a plurality of digital recording media 2 continuously, thefast-forwarding and rewinding for obtaining the total recording time T2are omitted during the second and subsequent dubbing, whereby dubbingcan be completed in a shorter period of time.

Next, a process of dubbing from the magnetic tape medium 1 to thedigital recording medium 2 in the dubbing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment will be described with reference to a flow chartshown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. It is assumed that the magnetic tape medium inthe present embodiment is a video tape, and the digital recording mediumtherein is a DVD.

SA denotes automatic dubbing processing performed when an instructionfor performing dubbing is input. SB denotes reproduction control signaldetection processing performed when a reproduction control signal isdetected while a tape is traveling.

In the reproduction control signal detection processing SB, when a videotape is inserted, and a reproduction control signal is detected duringrewinding in an initial dubbing operation, the processing in S21 isperformed next. Otherwise, the reproduction control signal detectionprocessing SB is completed (S20).

In S21, 1 is added to the value stored in a reproduction control buffer,whereby the reproduction control signal detection processing SB iscompleted. The reproduction control buffer stores the number of detectedreproduction control signals and is provided in the storage part 12.

In the automatic dubbing processing SA, first, during an initial dubbingoperation after insertion of a video tape, the process proceeds to S1,and the video tape is fast-forwarded. Otherwise, the process proceeds toS5 (S0).

After the video tape is fast-forwarded in S1, the process is placed in astandby state until a trailing edge is detected (S2). When the trailingedge is detected, the travel of the video tape is stopped (S3). Thereproduction control buffer is initialized to 0 (S4).

Next, the video tape is rewound (S5), and the process is placed in astandby state until a leading edge of the video tape is detected (S6).During the rewinding, every time a reproduction control signal isdetected, the reproduction control signal detection processing SB isperformed. When the leading edge of the video tape is detected, thetravel of the video tape is stopped (S7). The total recording time ofthe video tape is calculated from the value stored in the reproductioncontrol buffer added by the reproduction control signal detectionprocessing SB during the rewinding, and the calculated value is storedin the video tape total recording time buffer (S8). The video tape totalrecording time buffer also is provided in the storage part 12. At thistime, in the case of the second and subsequent dubbing operations withthe video tape remaining inserted, the reproduction control buffer andthe value of the video tape total recording time buffer, used in theprevious dubbing, are reused.

Next, the free space of the DVD is obtained (S9). In the case where therecordable time when information is recorded in the free space at alowest bit rate is shorter than the time represented by the value of thevideo tape total recording time buffer, it is determined that dubbing isimpossible, and the process proceeds to S18. Otherwise, it is determinedthat dubbing is possible, and the process proceeds to S11 (S10).

In the case where it is determined that dubbing is impossible in S10, awarning is displayed (S18), and the automatic dubbing processing SA iscompleted.

Furthermore, in the case where it is determined that dubbing is possiblein S10, the bit rate during recording with respect to the digitalrecording medium 2 is calculated so that the video and audio informationcorresponding to the time represented by the value of the video tapetotal recording time buffer is accommodated in the free space of theDVD, and the calculated value is stored in a bit rate buffer (S11). Thebit rate buffer also is provided in the storage part 12. Next,reproduction of data from the video tape and recording of the reproduceddata onto a DVD at a bit rate in accordance with the value of the bitrate buffer are started (S12), and the process is placed in a standbystate until the video tape reaches the trailing edge (S13).

During this time, while there is a reproduction control signal in asection of the video tape from which data is being reproduced, theprocessing in S16 is performed. Otherwise, the processing in S15 isperformed (S14).

In S16 (in the case where there is a reproduction control signal),recording processing of a DVD is performed. In S15 (in the case wherethere is no reproduction control signal), DVD recording is stoppedtemporarily.

When the trailing edge of the video tape is detected in S13, the videotape is stopped, and the DVD is stopped (S17), whereby the automaticdubbing processing SA is completed.

Hereinafter, the adjustment processing of a bit rate in S11 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

The control part 15 first calculates a recording time (A) of a videotape based on the number of control signals detected by the reproductioncontrol signal detection processing SB (S111). Herein, it is assumedthat A=3600 seconds.

Next, the control part 15 converts the DVD free space obtained in S9into seconds (C) by which information can be recorded in an SP mode(S112). The SP mode refers to a recording mode at a bit rate at whichcontents of about 2 hours are just accommodated on one side of a DVD.The DVD free space (B) obtained in S9 generally is obtained from thenumber of vacant sectors, considering a VBR margin. Herein, for example,it is assumed that C=1800 seconds.

Next, the control part 15 calculates a rate (D) and a bit rate (E) in anFR mode (S113). The FR mode refers to a flexible recording mode, inwhich information is recorded as a possible highest bit rate inaccordance with a free space. The rate D is obtained by dividing theseconds C calculated from the free space by the recording time A. Next,the control part 15 obtains a bit rate E in the FR mode by multiplyingthe obtained rate D by a bit rate (SPb) in the SP mode. In the aboveexample, D=C/A=1800/3600=0.5, and E=D×SPb=0.5×SPb. Thus, in this case,information is recorded onto a DVD at a bit rate that is a half of thebit rate in the SP mode.

After S113, it may be checked whether or not the bit rate E in the FRmode obtained in S113 falls within a range of a bit rate from the XPmode to the EP mode. In the case of a DVD, there are four-stage modes(XP mode, SP mode, LP mode, and EP mode) from the XP mode to the EPmode. The XP mode refers to a mode in which information is recorded atsuch a bit rate that contents of about 1 hour are accommodated on oneside of a DVD. The LP mode refers to a mode in which information isrecoded at such a bit rate that contents of about 4 hours areaccommodated on one side of a DVD. The EP mode refers to a mode in whichinformation is recorded at such a bit rate that contents of about 6hours are accommodated on one side of a DVD. More specifically, the bitrate in the XP mode is highest, and the bit rate in the EP mode islowest. Thus, in the case where the bit rate E obtained in S113 islarger than that in the XP mode, information may be recorded onto a DVDat a bit rate in the XP mode. In the case where the bit rate E obtainedin S113 is smaller than that in the EP mode, information may be recordedonto a DVD at a bit rate in the EP mode.

As described above, in the dubbing apparatus according to the presentembodiment, all the recorded parts of analog video and audio informationrecorded on one magnetic tape medium such as a video tape can be dubbedonto one digital recording medium such as a DVD in a shorter period oftime with a user's simple operation. Furthermore, dubbing is notperformed erroneously with respect to the free space of the digitalrecording medium such as a DVD, when the recordable time wheninformation is recorded at a lowest bit rate is shorter than the time ofvideo and audio information recorded on a magnetic tape medium such as aVHS. Furthermore, when the analog video and audio recording informationrecorded on a magnetic tape medium such as a video tape is dubbed onto aplurality of digital recording media such as a DVD, dubbing can beperformed in a shorter period of time.

In the above description, the case where the analog recording medium isa video tape, and the digital recording medium is a DVD has beendescribed mainly. However, the analog recording medium is not limited toa video tape, and the digital recording medium is not limited to a DVD.

The present invention is useful as an information recording andreproducing apparatus for dubbing video and audio information recordedon an analog recording medium onto a digital recording medium in a shortperiod of time.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosedin this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An information recording and reproducing apparatus including a reproducing part for reproducing a video and audio signal from an analog recording medium, and a recording part for recording the video and audio signal onto a digital recording medium, comprising: a control signal detecting part for detecting a control signal recorded on the analog recording medium together with the video and audio signal; and a control part for controlling operations of the reproducing part, the recording part, and the control signal detecting part, wherein, when a dubbing instruction is input, the control part instructs the recording part to start a dubbing operation of recording the video and audio signal reproduced by the reproducing part onto the digital recording medium, and during the dubbing operation, when the control signal detecting part detects a non-recorded region where the control signal is not recorded on the analog recording medium, the control part instructs the recording part to temporarily stop recording onto the digital recording medium.
 2. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, during the dubbing operation, when the control signal detecting part detects the control signal again on the analog recording medium after the recording part temporarily stops recording onto the digital recording medium, the control part instructs the recording part to resume recording onto the digital recording medium.
 3. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a free space obtaining part for obtaining a free space of the digital recording medium, wherein, when a dubbing instruction is input, the control part calculates a recording time of a video and audio signal of the analog recording medium, based on a control signal detected by the control signal detecting part from the analog recording medium, determines a bit rate during recording of the video and audio signal by the recording part so that all the video and audio signal corresponding to the calculated time is recorded in the free space of the digital recording medium obtained by the free space obtaining part, and starts the dubbing operation in accordance with the bit rate.
 4. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, using a tape-shaped medium as the analog recording medium, comprising a control head for reading a control signal from the tape-shaped medium, wherein, when a dubbing instruction is input, the control part first-forwards the tape-shaped medium to a trailing edge, and thereafter, while the tape-shaped medium is rewound to a leading edge, the control head obtains a control signal recorded on the tape-shaped medium.
 5. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a storage part for storing a recording time of a video and audio signal recorded on the analog recording medium, calculated based on the control signal, wherein the control part instructs the reproducing part and the recording part to complete the dubbing operation, when the trailing edge of the analog recording medium is detected during the dubbing operation, and after completion of the dubbing operation, when a dubbing instruction is input again without taking the analog recording medium out of the information recording and reproducing apparatus, the control part rewinds the tape-shaped medium to the leading edge, determines a bit rate during recording of the video and audio signal by the recording part, using the recording time stored in the storage part, and starts the dubbing operation in accordance with the bit rate.
 6. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface, wherein, in a case where a recordable time when information is recorded at a lowest bit rate in the free space of the digital recording medium is shorter than a recording time of the video and audio signal recorded on the analog recording medium, the control part performs at least one of warning display to the user interface and suspension of the dubbing operation. 